specification overview
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy is a double-award qualification covering biology, chemistry and physics as one course, worth two GCSEs at the end. It's tiered (Foundation or Higher), linear, and graded as a pair of matching or adjacent grades on a 17-point scale. Assessment covers 21 required practicals across six papers.
specification overview
subject content
1-7. Biology (Topics 1-7)
Biology Papers 1-2- Cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics (Paper 1)
- Homeostasis and response, inheritance/variation/evolution, ecology (Paper 2)
- Drops biology-only content covered on the separate Biology GCSE: culturing microorganisms (incl. antiseptics RP), plant tropisms, decay of milk, monoclonal antibodies, deeper plant disease, brain/eye detail, kidney detail (ADH, dialysis), embryo screening, and food production/food security
8-17. Chemistry (Topics 8-17)
Chemistry Papers 1-2- Atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes (Paper 1)
- Rates of reaction, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, atmosphere, using resources (Paper 2)
- Drops chemistry-only content: titration, mol/dm-3 concentrations, gas-volume calculations, tests for cations and anions
18-24. Physics (Topics 18-24)
Physics Papers 1-2- Energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atomic structure (Paper 1)
- Forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism (Paper 2)
- Drops Space physics entirely (solar system, red-shift, life cycle of stars), lenses, ultrasound and seismic waves, black-body radiation, and static electricity/electric fields
subject content
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Paper 1 | Biology topics 1-4: cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
| Biology Paper 2 | Biology topics 5-7: homeostasis and response; inheritance, variation and evolution; ecology | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
| Chemistry Paper 1 | Chemistry topics 8-12: atomic structure and periodic table; bonding and matter; quantitative chemistry; chemical changes; energy changes | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
| Chemistry Paper 2 | Chemistry topics 13-17: rate and extent of chemical change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis; chemistry of the atmosphere; using resources | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
| Physics Paper 1 | Physics topics 18-21: energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atomic structure | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
| Physics Paper 2 | Physics topics 22-24: forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism | 1h 15m | 70 | 16.7% | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
PaperBiology Paper 1
What's assessedBiology topics 1-4: cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
PaperBiology Paper 2
What's assessedBiology topics 5-7: homeostasis and response; inheritance, variation and evolution; ecology
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
PaperChemistry Paper 1
What's assessedChemistry topics 8-12: atomic structure and periodic table; bonding and matter; quantitative chemistry; chemical changes; energy changes
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
PaperChemistry Paper 2
What's assessedChemistry topics 13-17: rate and extent of chemical change; organic chemistry; chemical analysis; chemistry of the atmosphere; using resources
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
PaperPhysics Paper 1
What's assessedPhysics topics 18-21: energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atomic structure
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
PaperPhysics Paper 2
What's assessedPhysics topics 22-24: forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism
Length1h 15m
Marks70
Weight16.7%
Question typesMultiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response
Each science has its own two papers but the qualification is graded as one whole. Trilogy drops 'biology only', 'chemistry only' and 'physics only' content that appears on the separate Triple Science GCSEs.
assessment structure
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Recall and understanding of scientific ideas, techniques and procedures. | 40% |
| AO2 | Application of scientific ideas, including in practical contexts. | 40% |
| AO3 | Analysis, interpretation and evaluation of information, ideas and evidence. | 20% |
AOAO1
What it meansRecall and understanding of scientific ideas, techniques and procedures.
Overall40%
AOAO2
What it meansApplication of scientific ideas, including in practical contexts.
Overall40%
AOAO3
What it meansAnalysis, interpretation and evaluation of information, ideas and evidence.
Overall20%
assessment objectives
required practicals
| Practical | What it involves | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| RP1 Microscopy of plant and animal cells | Use a light microscope to observe, draw and label plant and animal cells. | Biology: cell biology |
| RP2 Osmosis in plant tissue | Investigate osmosis using plant tissue in a range of solute concentrations. | Biology: cell biology |
| RP3 Food tests | Use qualitative reagents to test for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. | Biology: organisation |
| RP4 Effect of pH on amylase activity | Investigate the effect of pH on the rate of amylase digesting starch. | Biology: organisation |
| RP5 Rate of photosynthesis | Investigate the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis rate. | Biology: bioenergetics |
| RP6 Human reaction time | Plan and carry out an investigation into a factor affecting reaction time. | Biology: homeostasis and response |
| RP7 Field sampling | Measure the population size of a common species using sampling techniques. | Biology: ecology |
| RP8 Preparing a soluble salt | Prepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate. | Chemistry: chemical changes |
| RP9 Electrolysis | Investigate electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes. | Chemistry: chemical changes |
| RP10 Temperature change in reactions | Investigate variables affecting temperature change in reacting solutions. | Chemistry: energy changes |
| RP11 Rates of reaction | Investigate the effect of concentration on rates of reaction. | Chemistry: rate of chemical change |
| RP12 Chromatography | Paper chromatography and Rf-value calculation. | Chemistry: chemical analysis |
| RP13 Water analysis | Analysis and purification of water samples. | Chemistry: using resources |
| RP14 Specific heat capacity | Measure the specific heat capacity of a material. | Physics: energy |
| RP15 Resistance in circuits | Investigate factors affecting resistance of electrical circuits. | Physics: electricity |
| RP16 I-V characteristics | Investigate I-V characteristics of filament lamp, diode and resistor. | Physics: electricity |
| RP17 Density of materials | Determine densities of regular and irregular solids and liquids. | Physics: particle model of matter |
| RP18 Hooke's law | Investigate force and extension for a spring. | Physics: forces |
| RP19 Newton's second law | Investigate force-vs-acceleration and mass-vs-acceleration relationships. | Physics: forces |
| RP20 Waves on strings and water | Investigate wave speed on strings and water. | Physics: waves |
| RP21 Infrared radiation | Investigate absorption and emission of infrared radiation. | Physics: waves / energy |
PracticalRP1 Microscopy of plant and animal cells
What it involvesUse a light microscope to observe, draw and label plant and animal cells.
TopicBiology: cell biology
PracticalRP2 Osmosis in plant tissue
What it involvesInvestigate osmosis using plant tissue in a range of solute concentrations.
TopicBiology: cell biology
PracticalRP3 Food tests
What it involvesUse qualitative reagents to test for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
TopicBiology: organisation
PracticalRP4 Effect of pH on amylase activity
What it involvesInvestigate the effect of pH on the rate of amylase digesting starch.
TopicBiology: organisation
PracticalRP5 Rate of photosynthesis
What it involvesInvestigate the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis rate.
TopicBiology: bioenergetics
PracticalRP6 Human reaction time
What it involvesPlan and carry out an investigation into a factor affecting reaction time.
TopicBiology: homeostasis and response
PracticalRP7 Field sampling
What it involvesMeasure the population size of a common species using sampling techniques.
TopicBiology: ecology
PracticalRP8 Preparing a soluble salt
What it involvesPrepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate.
TopicChemistry: chemical changes
PracticalRP9 Electrolysis
What it involvesInvestigate electrolysis of aqueous solutions using inert electrodes.
TopicChemistry: chemical changes
PracticalRP10 Temperature change in reactions
What it involvesInvestigate variables affecting temperature change in reacting solutions.
TopicChemistry: energy changes
PracticalRP11 Rates of reaction
What it involvesInvestigate the effect of concentration on rates of reaction.
TopicChemistry: rate of chemical change
PracticalRP12 Chromatography
What it involvesPaper chromatography and Rf-value calculation.
TopicChemistry: chemical analysis
PracticalRP13 Water analysis
What it involvesAnalysis and purification of water samples.
TopicChemistry: using resources
PracticalRP14 Specific heat capacity
What it involvesMeasure the specific heat capacity of a material.
TopicPhysics: energy
PracticalRP15 Resistance in circuits
What it involvesInvestigate factors affecting resistance of electrical circuits.
TopicPhysics: electricity
PracticalRP16 I-V characteristics
What it involvesInvestigate I-V characteristics of filament lamp, diode and resistor.
TopicPhysics: electricity
PracticalRP17 Density of materials
What it involvesDetermine densities of regular and irregular solids and liquids.
TopicPhysics: particle model of matter
PracticalRP18 Hooke's law
What it involvesInvestigate force and extension for a spring.
TopicPhysics: forces
PracticalRP19 Newton's second law
What it involvesInvestigate force-vs-acceleration and mass-vs-acceleration relationships.
TopicPhysics: forces
PracticalRP20 Waves on strings and water
What it involvesInvestigate wave speed on strings and water.
TopicPhysics: waves
PracticalRP21 Infrared radiation
What it involvesInvestigate absorption and emission of infrared radiation.
TopicPhysics: waves / energy
required practicals
higher vs foundation
| Aspect | Foundation tier | Higher tier |
|---|---|---|
| Grades available | 5-5 down to 1-1 (9 grade pairs) | 9-9 down to 4-4, plus an allowed 4-3 safety net (12 grade pairs) |
| Paper count and length | 6 papers, 1h 15m each, 70 marks each | 6 papers, 1h 15m each, 70 marks each |
| Content scope | Full spec, minus higher-only content flagged '(HT only)' | Full spec including all '(HT only)' extensions across biology, chemistry and physics |
| Required practicals | Same 21 practicals as higher tier | Same 21 practicals as foundation tier |
| Tier consistency | You must sit all three sciences at the same tier | You must sit all three sciences at the same tier |
AspectGrades available
Foundation tier5-5 down to 1-1 (9 grade pairs)
Higher tier9-9 down to 4-4, plus an allowed 4-3 safety net (12 grade pairs)
AspectPaper count and length
Foundation tier6 papers, 1h 15m each, 70 marks each
Higher tier6 papers, 1h 15m each, 70 marks each
AspectContent scope
Foundation tierFull spec, minus higher-only content flagged '(HT only)'
Higher tierFull spec including all '(HT only)' extensions across biology, chemistry and physics
AspectRequired practicals
Foundation tierSame 21 practicals as higher tier
Higher tierSame 21 practicals as foundation tier
AspectTier consistency
Foundation tierYou must sit all three sciences at the same tier
Higher tierYou must sit all three sciences at the same tier
higher vs foundation
key tips for success
Plan across three sciences
Combined Science spans six papers, so your schedule needs to distribute time across biology, chemistry and physics. Don't skip the sciences you find hardest.
Learn the shared foundations first
Atomic structure, energy transfers and cell processes underpin questions across multiple papers. Build these first before drilling into specific topics.
Practise past papers by paper number
Sit each of the six papers timed. That's roughly 1h 15m per paper and 70 marks each, so pacing per question matters.
Know the required practicals by name
AQA can ask about any of the 21 practicals across the papers. Learn the method, variables and expected results for each, including which science the practical belongs to.
Use topic-specific exam questions
Focus on your weaker topics rather than re-reading the whole spec. Use quiz decks and exam-style questions by topic to test yourself.
Understand the double-grade scale
Your two grades reflect your total mark across all six papers, so you're marked as one whole qualification. Consistent revision across biology, chemistry and physics matters more than being brilliant at one.
key tips for success
Where to next
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